Meerkat | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants SPECIES: suricatta ABOUT Meerkats are a type of mongoose and were once considered to be in the same taxonomic family as genets, civets, and linsangs. Now they are placed in their own family, Herpestidae. Safety in numbers: A “kat” is not a “cat” when it’s a meerkat, a vital, clever, and amazing weasel-like animal that is a member of the mongoose family. Most people know meerkats from the character Timon in The Lion King animated movie. However, instead of spending all their time with a warthog, most meerkats live in underground burrows in large groups of up to 40 individuals called a gang or a mob. For meerkats, there isn’t just safety in numbers—there’s also companionship. The mob is made up of several family groups, with one dominant pair that produces most of the offspring, but they don’t have to be related to belong to the same group. Meerkat mobs spend a lot of their time grooming and playing together to keep the family as a tight unit.

This community existence helps the meerkats survive. A meerkat baby peeks its head out of a burrow Although they are excellent diggers, meerkats usually live in burrows dug by other animals such as ground squirrels. These burrows have an average of 15 entrance and exit holes, with tunnels and chambers at several levels, some as deep as 6.5 feet (2 meters). The deeper tunnels stay at a constant, comfortable temperature, whether it's hot or cold outside. A meerkat mob has several burrow systems, complete with toilet and sleeping chambers, within its territory and moves from one to another every few months. Meerkats have scent pouches below their tails and rub these pouches on rocks and plants to mark their territory. The territories of different groups often overlap, resulting in constant disputes. When the two groups meet for a face-off, the results can be tragic. Meerkats are vicious fighters that often kill each other in these skirmishes. Knowing the high cost of an all-out war, they try to avoid serious conflict if possible. Usually, a lot of aggressive posturing and bluffing precedes any physical contact.

These wars can look a bit like the human battles of yesteryear: both sides line up across a field and, at the right moment, charge forward with leaps and bounds, holding their tail rigid and straight up in the air. Every third or fourth leap, they arch their back and thrust their rear legs backward like a bucking bronco. Whichever side has the most threatening display in their charge may “psych out” the opponents. Yet meerkats groups have been known to accept outside individuals into their mob, and they sometimes share their burrows with yellow mongooses. Unfortunately for meerkats, they are a tasty treat for larger carnivores, especially jackals, eagles, and falcons. However, meerkats have developed a way to forage in relative safety: adults take turns acting as guard while the others can look for food without worries. The guard climbs to the highest rock, termite mound, or bush he or she can find, stands upright on two legs, and then announces the beginning of guard duty with a specialized call. A low, constant peeping, known as the watchman's song, is made when all is well. If a predator is spotted, the guard alerts the others with a bark or whistle.

There are different calls for land predators and for those coming from the air. When the alarm is raised, the meerkats usually run for the nearest hole, called a bolt hole. These are special tunnels with wider openings designed to hold a crowd of meerkats at once. Meerkats memorize the locations of thousands of bolt holes within their territory and are able to run to the closest one at a moment's notice. A meerkat mob sometimes stirs up dust to create a cover, or the mob may stand together to look larger, acting fierce to scare off the predator. Meerkats have been known to kill venomous snakes, but they don’t accomplish this task alone—they work as a mob. Some snake species feed on meerkats and slither into their underground tunnels, looking for a warm meal. Because of this, meerkats do not tolerate any snakes in their midst. They attack simultaneously and bite the snake wherever possible. It doesn’t take long for the snake to tire and become overwhelmed by the unrelenting gang. These meerkats mobs have been known to chase off many would-be predators much bigger than themselves. A meerkat suns itself.

One of the San Diego Zoo's meerkats was the animator's model for the portrayal of Timon in Disney’s animated movie, "The Lion King." Meerkats are diurnal: once the sun is up, they carefully emerge from their burrow and spend some time sunbathing and grooming. Meerkats have thin fur and dark skin on their stomachs that helps them control body temperature. They can lie on their backs and get quickly warmed by the sun or lie stomach down on a cool rock in the heat of midday. Once warmed up and ready to go, the meerkats forage for most of the day, perhaps stopping in the shade or a burrow during the hottest hours. Then they return to the main burrow to snuggle up for the night. HABITAT AND DIET When standing erect, meerkats balance on a long, stiff tail that they use like a kickstand on a bicycle. Many adaptations help meerkats live in their arid, dusty environment in southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Dark patches around their eyes act to cut down on the sun’s glare, and long, horizontal pupils give meerkats a wide range of vision.

Meerkats are built for digging and have a special membrane that can cover the eye to protect it while burrowing. These small diggers also have ears that close to keep out the sand while at work. In addition, meerkats have four toes (most mongoose species have five) on each foot and very long, nonretractable claws to help them dig. No prey is safe from meerkats! With their excellent sense of smell, they can even find their food when it is hiding underground. Meerkats can dig very quickly to find insects (the biggest part of their diet), spiders, snails, rodents, birds, eggs, lizards, and scorpions. They have a home territory of about 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) or more and hunt in a different section each day, returning to the first area after a week. Each meerkat must find its own food, but they may share the task of capturing and eating a large lizard or other large food item. At the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the meerkats are fed a ground meat diet made especially for zoo carnivores, cat kibble, mealworms, crickets, and small amounts of produce.

FAMILY LIFE When pups finally emerge from the den, they stay close to mom—and other adults—as they learn the ropes topside. Mom's in charge: Meerkats have a matriarchal society, with adult females generally slightly larger than the males. The dominant female can have several litters a year, but usually she has babies, called pups, during times when there is plenty of food, which is generally during the rainy season (November through March). Pups are born with eyes and ears shut and are mostly hairless at birth. Their eyes open after two weeks, and pups start eating food other than milk at three weeks. When they are four weeks old, the pups first venture out of their den; they are weaned by nine weeks. Young meerkats do not know what kind of food to eat, so their mother or another adult teaches them. Mom brings home whole food such as an insect or lizard and leaps around in front of the pups until they take the food from her mouth. She even brings home scorpions with their tail bitten off so the young can learn how to kill them without getting hurt.

While adult meerkats have some immunity to scorpion stings, a scorpion’s large pincers can still do plenty of damage, and the pups have to learn to deal carefully with this dangerous food item. Baby meerkats. Other names for meerkats include slender-tailed meerkat and African suricate. In addition to taking turns as guard, meerkats also share the duty of raising the pups and teaching them how to hide, hunt, clean, and defend all that is theirs. The mother needs to spend time foraging to supply her pups with milk, so other females and males stay behind to care for and protect her young. The mob may sometimes decide to move to a different burrow, and these "babysitters" help transport the pups, carrying them by the scruff of the neck. The pups spend most of their time playing, and both pups and adults are very vocal. They make a peeping sound when playing, which rises to a louder twitter when they are excited, and purr when content. The more babysitters there are, the greater the survival rate for the pups. AT THE ZOO Since 1983, we have had several exhibits of meerkats.

They always make our guests smile as they watch these small, entertaining creatures standing on their hind legs, absorbing the warmth of the sun on their bellies, furiously digging for treats, or comically wrestling with each other. There are meerkats at the San Diego Zoo's African Kopje and in Safari Base Camp at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. It can be challenging to build a habitat that allows the meerkats to dig to their heart’s content without digging their way out! A wire net lines the bottom of each meerkat enclosure, and each exhibit has some large rocks or man-made termite mound for the meerkat guard to perch atop, ever vigilant as he or she scans the skies for that dreaded bird of prey. We have been highly successful in breeding meerkats—over 250 have been born in our collection so far! Some of our meerkats have served as animal ambassadors—meeting the public at the Zoo and Safari Park, as well as at schools and television studios—helping us teach people about habitat conservation and the hardships many animals face today. CONSERVATION Fortunately for meerkats, they seem to be doing all right in the wild at this time.

Yet movies and television shows have brought meerkats lots of attention, with many people wondering if they can have a meerkat as a pet. Although they may look cute, meerkats—like all wild animals—do not make good pets, and are illegal to own without the proper permits and licenses. Instead, head to your local zoo to enjoy these small creatures in action. They’ll be scanning the skies and watching for you!

Sounds Meerkat (Suricata Suricatta) - Animals - A-Z Animals Five groups that classify all living things Animalia A group of animals within the animal kingdom Chordata A group of animals within a pylum Mammalia A group of animals within a class Carnivora A group of animals within an order Herpestidae A group of animals within a family Suricata Comprised of the genus followed by the species Suricata suricatta Most widely used name for the species Meerkat The domestic group such as cat or dog Mammal The specific area where the animal lives Semi-desert and scrub-land The colour of the animal's coat or markings Light Brown, Tan, Yellow, White, Brown, Black The protective layer of the animal Fur How long (L) or tall (H) the animal is 25cm - 35cm (10in - 14in) The measurement of how heavy the animal is 600g - 975g (1.3lbs - 2.1lbs) The fastest recorded speed of the animal 32kph (20mph) What kind of foods the animal eats Carnivore The food that the animal gains energy

 from Insects, Rodents, Lizards Other animals that hunt and eat the animal Hawks, Jackal, Snakes Whether the animal is solitary or sociable Diurnal How long the animal lives for 10 - 14 years The average number of babies born at once 3 The likelihood of the animal becoming extinct Least Concern Dark bands around eyes and white face Fun Fact: One will stand on guard to watch for predators!

Meerkat Location Meerkat Meerkat Classification and Evolution The Meerkat (also known as the Suricate) is a small species of foraging mammal that is found inhabiting the harsh conditions of the open and arid, semi-desert plains in southern Africa . A member of the Mongoose family , Meerkats differ from the other 35 Mongoose species in a number of ways with the biggest difference being that Meerkats are incredibly sociable animals , where most Mongooses are not (only 3 other species are known to live in groups larger than pairs). There are three different sub-species of Meerkat that are found in varying geographic locations and although they are very similar in appearance, they differ slightly in their fur colouration and markings. All however, live in highly organised communities known as gangs or bands, that rely on one another for their survival in such hostile conditions as whilst the majority of the group is out foraging for food, others stand on guard to keep a watchful eye out for approaching predators . Meerkat Anatomy and Appearance The Meerkat is a small sized mammal that has a long and slender body with a long and light but black-tipped tail that can almost double the animal's total length.

Meerkats are sandy to light brown in colour with eight darker stripes on their back, markings on their sides (which are unique to the individual) and a lighter face and underside. They have elongated muzzles with a black nose and dark coloured bands around their eyes. Meerkats have long, sharp claws on their front paws that are curved and can grow up to 2cm long and help them to both dig their burrows and to find small animals that are buried beneath the soft sand. The fur of the Meerkat has actually adapted remarkably to the differing desert conditions, not only helping to keep the animal cool during the boiling hot days, but also acting as a layer of insulation to keep it warm during the freezing-cold winter nights. Meerkat Distribution and Habitat The Meerkat is found in southern and western Africa inhabiting the dry and hostile scrub-lands of the Kalahari Desert . Spanning across five different countries in southern Africa from Angola to South Africa , Meerkats are found throughout this vast, arid region foraging for food on the ground during the day and retiring into their immense burrows in the sand at night.

Conditions in the Kalahari Desert are incredibly extreme with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Centigrade in the summer (with a sand temperature of 70 degrees), and falling to well below zero down to -10 degrees during the bitter, winter nights. This area of Africa has an incredibly low level of annual rainfall with only a rare, small amount falling generally between January and April and after which, the Kalahari briefly transforms into a well-vegetated and life-filled region before the cooler winter months set in. Meerkat Behaviour and Lifestyle Unlike all but three other Mongoose species , the Meerkat is a highly sociable animal that inhabits territories in the desert in groups that usually contain between 10 and 30 individuals (although much larger bands are not uncommon in areas where there is an ample supply of food), and consist of three or four family units of a male and female pair, with their young. After emerging from their burrow to sunbathe in the early morning sun, the majority of the band goes off to forage for food while others either babysit the young, or act as guards.

By standing upright on their hind legs and tails on the top of mounds and in bushes, Meerkat guards are able to have a good vantage point to watch out for approaching predators , particularly from the sky. One of a series of different alarm calls will then be sounded to alert the rest of the group what the danger is, often causing the whole band to dive into their underground burrow to hide. Meerkat Reproduction and Life Cycles Although there may be a number of breeding pairs in one band, Meerkat society is generally dominated by one male and female pair. Young Meerkats are usually born in November after a gestation period that lasts for around 11 weeks. Having mated with her partner at the start of the summer, the female Meerkat gives birth to between 2 and 5 small kits in a grass-lined chamber in the burrow, that are born blind and without their full coat of fur. Unlike with the rearing of numerous other small mammal species , both females and males tend to their young with males and siblings known to help to teach the young Meerkats the skills of surviving in the surrounding desert .

Whilst the majority of the band is out foraging for food, the young Meerkats never stray far from the den and whilst playing in the hot sand, are kept a watchful eye on by an appointed babysitter. Meerkats can live for up to 10 years in the wild but have been known to live for longer in captivity. Meerkat Diet and Prey The Meerkat is a carnivorous animal which means that despite it's small size , it only forages for and eats small animals in order to gain all of the nutrition (and most of the moisture) that is needs to survive. Like other Mongoose species , Meerkats have an excellent sense of smell which is used to sniff out potential prey that is lurking just under the surface of the sand. Once detected, Meerkats then used their long and sharp front claws to dig out their prey , with the majority of their diet being made up of insects and other small invertebrates , along with also eating larger animals such as Lizards and Rodents.

Due to the fact that Meerkats are small in size and have adapted to living in such a harsh environment , they must spend a great deal of their waking hours foraging for food as they are known to loose around 5% of their body-weight during the night and must therefore ensure that they have enough to eat every day. Meerkat Predators and Threats Due to the small size of the Meerkat , they are natural prey to numerous animal species that are both on the ground and in the air. The biggest threat to Meerkats are Birds of Prey such as Hawks and Eagles that can spot these animals from high above their heads, along with ground-dwelling predators such as Snakes that hunt them on the ground. In order to try and protect themselves from being so vulnerable in their open and arid surroundings, Meerkats adopt the safety in numbers tactic and ensure that there is always an individual on guard to warn the rest of the group of any approaching danger. In places that are closer to growing Human settlements and near to areas where domestic animals are grazed, Meerkats have been known to contract both bovine diseases and rabies that can affect whole populations of these adaptable and otherwise resilient animals.

Meerkat Interesting Facts and Features If the individual Meerkat on guard spots approaching danger they will sound the alarm to the rest of the group . Meerkats are known to use a wide range of vocal calls to communicate between one another sounding long howls to warn the rest of the band of an approaching bird of prey , and using short double-barks to alert them of a predator nearing the group on the ground. The individual territory of a Meerkat group covers a large enough area to ensure that the band has everything they need to most successfully survive. This includes areas of both hard and soft sand as although the hard sand provides the perfect ground for building their tunnels in, it requires more energy for Meerkats to forage for food in it too. Digging in the softer sand requires less effort and therefore means that they can conserve more energy for other activities. Meerkat Relationship with Humans The Meerkat is one of those species that has always fascinated people with their characteristic behaviours having made them one of Africa's most iconic small mammal species . The real delights into Meerkat life were displayed in the BBC series Meerkat Manor which involved the following and filming of one band of Meerkats in the Kalahari Desert .

Although they are not threatened by Human activity as drastically as a number of Africa's other unique species , Meerkats have been susceptible to contracting diseases from other animals which can have devastating implications on local populations. Meerkat Conservation Status and Life Today Today, the Meerkat is an animal that listed by the IUCN as being of Least Concern from being extinct in it's natural environment in the near future. Although they are widespread and common throughout much of their natural range, populations in certain areas can be affected by the lack of rainfall or increasing numbers of their natural predators . Populations across southern Africa however, appear to be generally stable with large numbers of Meerkats also found in a few of the big national parks. Share This Article Learn how you can use or cite the Meerkat article in your website content, school work and other projects. First Published: 5th December 2008, Last Updated: 9th January 2017 [View Sources] Sources: 1. About Meerkats (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 05 Dec 2008] 2.

David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 05 Dec 2008] 3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2011] 4. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2010] 5. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 05 Dec 2008] 6. Meerkat Conservation (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 05 Dec 2008] 7. Meerkat Information (Date Unknown) Available at: [Accessed at: 05 Dec 2008] 8. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2009] 9.

Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 05 Dec 2008] Are you Safe? Are You Safe? is an online safety campaign by A-Z-Animals.com. If something has upset you, the Are You Safe? campaign can help you to speak to someone who can help you. Meerkat Location and Habitat Meerkats are located in southern Africa, in countries including Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Angola. Meerkats can be found in arid plains and desert-like regions of these countries. Here they endure harsh conditions, such as lack of rain and high temperatures at certain times of the year. Meerkats live in underground tunnel networks that they have either dug or inhabited from previous animals. These tunnel networks offer them protection from predators, as well as from the hot sun. Diet Meerkats feed primarily on insects, but also eat lizards, eggs, rodents and scorpions. Meerkats have an immunity to scorpions' stings. While a group of meerkats (often called a mob) is foraging for food, one or more meerkats will stand on its hind legs and watch for danger.

Size and Description Meerkats are members of the mongoose family "Herpestidae", most of whom also live in Africa. They weigh between 1.5 - 2.5 pounds, and are 10 - 14 inches in length, not including the tail. Their tails are generally half as long as their bodies. Meerkats have long, tubular bodies covered by red, tan and grey fur. Across their backs they may have red stripes. Their tails are also red, grey or tan, and have black tips on the ends. The coloration of meerkats helps them to blend in with the arid conditions in which they live. Meerkats have similar facial features to other members of the mongoose family. Meerkats have small, black ears, located on the sides of their heads. Their muzzles are short, and their noses are black. Around their eyes they have black rings of fur. These black rings likely help meerkats to see better in bright sunlight. Adaptations and Behaviors Meerkats rely heavily on communication and a communal society to survive. They live in large social groups called mobs or gangs. They constantly work together to help each other survive the harsh conditions of their environment.

Meerkats share jobs such as watching their young and looking out for predators, each taking turns performing these tasks while the others hunt, eat, dig, and play. Meerkats also work together when they are hunting small prey. Their long, curved claws make them excellent diggers. They can move a surprising amount of dirt very quickly to get at burrowing insects. Other adaptations include coloration that helps camouflage them from predators and an immunity to highly venomous scorpion stings. Reproduction Meerkats are sexually mature at about one year old. Their gestation period lasts approximately eleven weeks, after which time a litter of about 3-5 young are born. The young meerkats are born underground in the complex tunnel system in which they live. The young are raised by the entire family group. Other Facts In captivity, meerkats have been known to live up to 15 years. In the wild, they usually live to about 10. Meerkat Facts Meerkat Facts By Alina Bradford, Live Science Contributor | September 29, 2014 08:54pm ET MORE Mum Fraggle, pictured with her new additions to the meerkat mob at Belfast Zoo!

Credit: Belfast Zoo. Meerkats are catlike carnivores that are part of the civets and mongoose family. They are identified by their long bodies; short, flat ears; and their ability to stand on their back feet. Meerkat coats can be gold, silver, orange or brown with dark patches of fur around the eyes. Meerkats are small animals, measuring 9.75 to 11.75 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) from head to rump. Their tails add another 7.5 to 9.5 inches (19 to 24 cm) to their length. At less than 2.2 lbs. (1 kilogram), a meerkat weighs about the same as a squirrel. Where do meerkats live? These animals are found in the deserts and grasslands of Africa, including southwestern Botswana, western and southern Namibia, and north and west South Africa. They can also be found in the extreme southwestern areas of Angola and in the lowlands of Lesotho. The Elephant Crossing exhibit is now alive with the pitter-patter of tiny feet. Credit: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Meerkats live together in big groups.

Several meerkat families may live together to form a community called a mob, gang or clan. Such a group can include three to 50 meerkats, according to the Natural History Museum , and the mob's dominant female leads the group. Living in intricate tunnel systems underground called burrows, meerkats can stay safe from predators and cool during hot days. One burrow can have as many as 15 entrance and exit holes and can reach up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) deep, according to the San Diego Zoo . Unlike other burrowing creatures, meerkats live in more than one burrow; they keep several in rotation. Every morning, meerkats start their day with grooming or lying in the sun. During the rest of the day, they forage for food. One meerkat will watch the group of foragers and alert them if a predator approaches. This sentry is relieved and replaced each hour so that everyone can forage. What do meerkats eat? Though they are considered carnivores, meerkats eat more than just meat. Their diet includes lizards, birds, bugs and fruit, according to the National Geographic . They also like to treat themselves to scorpions.

Adult meerkats have some immunity to the venom, so scorpion stingers are no problem. However, instead of allowing pups to learn by trial and error and risk receiving a potentially life-threatening sting, mothers will cut the tail off of a scorpion before feeding the arachnid to her young, according to a 2006 study published in the journal Science. Four meerkat babies have joined the baby boom success list at Belfast Zoo! Credit: Belfast Zoo. Baby meerkats Females give birth to one to eight babies at a time, but it is more common for meerkat mothers to have three to four offspring at a time. The babies, called pups, are born underground, where they are safe from predators. At birth, pups weigh 25 to 36 grams (0.9 to 1.3 ounces), according to the San Diego Zoo. In addition to being small, pups are also blind, deaf and almost hairless. The whole family, including the father and siblings, pitches in to help raise the new additions. By nine weeks, the pups are weaned, and by one and a half years, the meerkats will be mature enough to have their own offspring.

Meerkats live up to eight years in the wild and up to 13 years in zoos. Classification/taxonomy The taxonomy of meerkats, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), is: Kingdom: Animalia Subspecies: Suricata suricatta iona, Suricata suricatta marjoriae, Suricata suricatta suricatta Conservation status Meerkats are listed as "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature 's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Species. There are currently no major threats to the animals, and their populations are doing well. Other facts Meerkat mothers can nurse their young while standing on their back legs. A dominant meerkat mom will force subordinates to nurse her young for her , according to a 2013 study published in the journal Animal Behavior. When the pups are old enough, their mother will bring them live bugs and teach them how to kill the prey, according to the journal Science. Young meerkats are so leery of birds that even airplanes will scare the animals into their burrows.

If the mob decides to move to another burrow, family members and other caretakers will carry pups by the scruff of the neck. A membrane covers and protects meerkats' eyes while they dig. When two groups of meerkats go to war over territory, they will line up and charge each other, much like human warriors did before modern technology. Meerkat wars can result in many deaths, so the animals try to avoid such conflicts by employing intimidation tactics, according to the San Diego Zoo. Meerkats, Meerkat Pictures, Meerkat Facts - National Geographic Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man Please add a "relative" entry to your dictionary. These gregarious animals are often seen in groups, and several families may live together in a large community. Squirrel-sized meerkats are mongooses famed for their upright posture. They often stand on their rear legs and gaze alertly over the southern African plains where they live. Mothers can even nurse their young while standing. Meerkats (also called suricates) work together in numbers. A few will typically serve as lookouts, watching the skies for birds of prey, such as hawks and eagles, that can snatch them from the ground.

A sharp, shrill call is the signal for all to take cover. While a few individuals guard the group, the rest busy themselves foraging for the foods that make up their varied diet. Meerkats will eat insects, lizards, birds, and fruit. When hunting small game, they work together and communicate with purring sounds. Meerkats are good hunters and are sometimes tamed for use as rodent-catchers. Meerkat groups utilize several different burrows and move from one to another. Each burrow is an extensive tunnel-and-room system that remains cool even under the broiling African sun. Females give birth to two to four young each year in one of the group's burrows. Fathers and siblings help to raise meerkat young, teaching them to play and forage and alerting them to the ever present danger from above. Young meerkats are so fearful of predatory birds that even airplanes will send them diving for cover.

Meerkats As Pets | PetHelpful Meerkats As Pets Joined: 5 years agoFollowers: 236Articles: 100 21 6 Exotic Wild Dogs (Non-domesticated) that are kept as Pets 15 months ago Can meerkats be kept as pets? The answer is technically yes. Actually, most species that are available and survive in captivity can be privately owned. Depending on one’s definition of a ‘pet’, however, some animals simply make horrendous pets, and meerkats are an example that fit this bill. Visitor at Fellow Earthlings' Wildlife Center Meerkats are exceptionally popular due to massive popularity of the film The Lion King and the later success of the Animal Planet show Meerkat Manor, a documentary highlighting the daily lives of the social animals. Meerkats are rather drably colored but probably appeal to humans because of their ability to stand like a person when they are on the lookout for predators. This simple characteristic has given them a perceived charisma among humans and the interest in them as pets has understandably increased. Meerkats are small animals, and they have the word ‘cat’ in their name which may be deceptive to the true nature of these colonial carnivores.

Meerkats are not cats (obviously). It should be understood that meerkats are not cat-like nor do they possess common 'domesticated traits. Meerkats are social mongooses. Meerkats belong to the family Herpestidae and the order carnivora, which includes moongooses and kusimanse . They are more closely related to mustelids and vivivverids. Once meerkats are understood to be mongooses their behavior in captivity starts to make more sense. Actually, other mongoose species may make better pets. Advertisement My experiences with the care of my first small-spotted genet, and general information for people interested in acquiring or learning about their maintenance in captivity. Advertisement Good pets In my opinion, a ‘good’ pet gives back as much as you put into it. The keeping of exotic mammals is controversial with people who perceive non-domesticated animals as independent and ‘too proud’ for human care and confinement. While it is true that exotic animals are infused with stronger instinctual behavior than most domesticated dogs, domestication has little to do with what makes a ‘good pet’. Cats are very similar to their wild ancestors and do not differ as strongly as many domesticated dogs do from wolves.

A 'good pet' depends on the qualities inherent to an animal and its ease of adapting to whatever captive situation will be offered when raised in that environment since infancy. Meerkats are one exotic animal that doesn't adapt well to traditional pet care standards of average people despite their appealing size. Advertisement Meerkat Care There are actually three ways to care for any type of pet. Method 1: Free-range ‘no cage’, such as with dogs and cats, method 2: partially caged, such as what is done with most small animals like ferrets and birds where animals get play periods outside of the cage, and method 3: fully caged, which is done with animals that are either too dangerous or unsuitable for humans to interact with outside of the cage. This is what zoos do with most of their animals and the enclosures must be large and stimulating enough to provide for an animal’s wellbeing for their entire lives. Meerkats can only be kept with either method one or three, and are probably best suited for method 3. Not much information about meerkats as pets exists online, outside of the comprehensive information offered by meerkat owners based in Hampshire, England.

The meerkats are named Jack and Milla, and they have many videos posted on Youtube. Despite owning the animals, these owners do not believe anyone else should be getting them. According to meerkat owners, there are substantially negative traits of owning meerkats that need to be considered. Advertisement Some wild meerkat facts Meerkats only live in Southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola in South Africa. They live in colonies of up to 20-30 members. Meerkats can live twice as long in captivity over the wild (12-14 years vs. 3-7). They are immune to some venom that is dangerous to humans. Having no body fat stores, meerkats must constantly search for food. Meerkats have stable hierarchies and groups usually consist of siblings and offspring of an alpha pair. Subordinates may babysit the young of this alpha pair. They have unique alarm calls the specify certain predators (like prairie dogs do). Advertisement Apparently meerkats can be overfed. This is why enrichment and rationing are important.

Feeding Meerkats are mostly carnivorous/insectivorous, however some plant material can be offered for variety and nutrition. Commonly available insects in the United States include crickets, mealworms, superworms, roaches, silkworms and hornworms. With most insectivorous diets, variety is key and not only one insect should be offered. Some meats can also be offered, including frozen-thawed rodents (mice and rats), chicks, and perhaps raw pieces of chicken and other human grade meats (beef, venison, bison, rabbit, duck). Vegetable matter may include sweet potato, squash, carrots, and most 'dog-safe' safe fruits and veggies that are accepted. Baby meerkat Imprinting What are some potential ramifications of meerkat ownership regarding their welfare? Most people consider an animal to be a ‘pet’ when it is kept in the same fashion as dogs and cats, i.e, being a ‘companion’ to humans and having most or all of its time free in the home. Meerkats kept in this fashion, raised by humans since an early age, will see their caretakers as group members and exclude anyone else as a predator (see aggression).

This is important to consider, because this means that the animals will depend on you for their imperative socialization needs. Any disruption to this dynamic will result in emotional distress, which is a common issue with many exotic mammals when it comes to re-homing them. More importantly, a meerkat can be used to human care and may not be able to reintegrate with other meerkats. Sometimes situations that require re-homing will be out of the owner’s control (bans of exotic animals not only in rented households, but statewide, are common), hence why this dynamic (of which Jack and Mila are kept) can be potentially tragic. Aggression This is the number one surprising aspect of owning the small animals; apparently their stringent loyalty to their ‘pack’ which will consist of human family members will cause them to attempt to attack and maim intruders (family outside the home, friends, new pets, and anyone else they weren’t raised with). Many exotic mammals tend to strongly bond to their main caretakers as this just makes survival sense. Therefore, showing your pet meerkat off to the public may pose a problem and do not expect to have visitors while the animals are free-roaming. Legality?

Meerkats are a highly regulated species and are not available as pets in the United States. Captive-bred populations exist in Japan and parts of the United Kingdom. Here is a list of 12 commonly desired exotic pets that are rare or non-existent in private captivity in the U.S. Other unpleasantries Smells and elimination - Meerkats, like many feliforms, scent mark by urination and this substance may end up in a myriad of undesirable locations, including you and your clothes. They also have a musky odor similar to a ferret. Litter box training is not guaranteed. House destruction - House-dwelling meerkats may chew up computer wires and other expensive pieces of technology with vigor, as well as carpeting and bathroom sealant. Cost - Exotic animals require a highly experienced vet that has dealt with wildlife. This may yield a hefty bill in addition to general care costs. The purchase price of the animal (if you can find one) will be at least $1,000. It is likely damaging to keep only one animal. Captivity vs. the wild Meerkats lead a hectic existence in the wild, as viewers of Meerkat Manor probably know.

While they are capable of living up to 15 years old, most of them will see half this age in their natural environments. Their aforementioned aggression and tight social bonds have important purposes, as these animals are on the menu to falcons, snakes, and other larger mammalian predators in addition to the natural diseases that will wear them out eventually. Therefore, captivity provides meerkats much benefits and comfort in comparison. However, the conditions must meet their excessive needs that are out of reach for the lifestyles of most people unless they are kept in 'zoo-like' enclosures. If any owner or zoo can provide a spacious enclosure with dig-able dirt and forging enrichment for at least a small group of animals, meerkats should be relatively easy to care for, and there is nothing unethical about this. 'Adopt' and visit a meerkat Meerkats Home Page -- Meerkat vital statistics, 'adoption' info, books, T-shirts and much more meerkat info! Have you considered a meerkat as pet?

Yes mongoose | mammal | Britannica.com Mongoose feline Mongoose (family Herpestidae), any of numerous species of small bold predatory carnivores found mainly in Africa but also in southern Asia and southern Europe. Mongooses are noted for their audacious attacks on highly poisonous snakes such as king cobras . The 38 species belong to 18 genera. The most common and probably best-known are the 10 species of the genus Herpestes, among which are the Egyptian mongoose, or ichneumon (H. ichneumon), of Africa and southern Europe and the Indian gray mongoose (H. edwardsii), made famous as Rikki-tikki-tavi in Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Books (1894 and 1895). The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is also a member of the mongoose family. Dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula). It is the smallest known mongoose; as an adult, its body … © njsphotography/Fotolia Mongooses are short-legged animals with pointed noses, small ears, and long furry tails. The claws do not retract, and in most species there are five toes on each foot.

The fur is gray to brown and is commonly grizzled or flecked with lighter gray. Markings, when present, include stripes, dark legs, and pale or ringed tails. The adult size varies considerably, with the smallest being the dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula), which measures 17–24 cm (7–10 inches) with a 15–20-cm (approximately 6–8-inch) tail. Banded mongoose (Mungos mungo). This carnivore lives in groups and inhabits most of … AdstockRF A group of banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) on a small dirt hill. Banded mongooses … © Gregory G. Dimijian, M.D./Photo Researchers Natural history Mongooses live in burrows and feed on small mammals , birds , reptiles , eggs , and occasionally fruit . A number of mongooses, especially those of the genus Herpestes, will attack and kill poisonous snakes. They depend on speed and agility, darting at the head of the snake and cracking the skull with a powerful bite. They are not immune to venom , as popularly believed, nor do they seek and eat an herbal remedy if bitten.

A number of species are noted for their peculiar habit of opening eggs as well as other food items with hard shells ( crabs , mollusks , and nuts ). The animal stands on its hind legs and hits the egg against the ground. Sometimes it carries the egg to a rock and, standing with its back to the rock, throws the egg between its legs and against the rock until the shell is broken. Early reports of this behaviour met with skepticism but have been verified by other observers. The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata) exhibits the same behaviour but lies on its side and uses all four feet to toss the egg. A mongoose (Herpestes) attacking an Asian cobra (Naja naja). Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. viverrid Most species are active during the day and are terrestrial, although the marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) and a few others are semiaquatic. Some mongooses live alone or in pairs, but others, such as the banded mongoose (Mungos mungo), dwarf mongooses (genus Helogale), and meerkats, live in large groups.

Litters usually consist of two to four young. Meerkats (Suricata suricatta). These members of the mongoose family inhabit the … © iStockphoto/Thinkstock Some species, mainly the Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) but also the Indian gray mongoose, were introduced to numerous islands, including Mafia Island (off the coast of East Africa), Mauritius, numerous islands in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia, Hawaii , and the Fiji islands. Originally intended to help control rodents and snakes, these introductions were disastrous, because the mongooses severely depleted the populations of native fauna. Because of their potential destructiveness, importation of all mongooses into the United States is strictly regulated. Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata), one of the many animals unique … © Christopher Call Productions

Question: To which animal species does the Meerkat belong?
Answer: MONGOOSE